Click box



Nov. 27, 1923.

H. L. BLOOD CLICK BOX Filed Feb. 25 1919 Patented Nov. 27, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD L. BLOOD, OF PLAINFIELD, NEVJ' JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 NILES-BEMENT-PO'ND COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CLICK BOX.

Application filed February 25, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD L. 131.001), a citizen of the United States, residing at Plainfield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Click Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

The feed mechanism of a metal planing machine or other machine requiring an intermittent tool feed, ordinarily includes one or more click boxes which are used to intermittently rotate one or more feed shafts or screws which control the tools. The object of the present invention is to provide a click box having improved means for effecting adjustment to cause motion to be trans mitted in one direction or the other as required, the gear 2 being the driving member for the feed mechanism and the hub 1 being the driven member thereof and operative therefrom through the click box mechanism hereinafter described. A further object of the invention is to provide improved ratchet mechanism, particularly one in which a simple coil spring may be used in contrast with the more expensive and fragile leaf springs commonly employed. Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the followin specification and claims.

n the accom anying drawing which shows the embo iment of the invention which I now deem preferable,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a click box embodying the invention, this view being taken along the line 11 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is an end view.

Fig. 3 is a tranverse sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View taken along the line 4-4 of Fi 1.

Fi 5 is a view siml ar to Fig. 4 but shovvlng the ratchet mechanism differently adjusted. V

Fig. 6 is a view showing a part of a feed mechanism includin three of the click boxes, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5.

Referrin to the drawing, 1 represents the body or hu of the click box, this being provided with a squared central aperture so that the click box may be placed upon and rotatively connected with a feed shaft or screw of a planer. Rotatably mounted on the hub is a spur gear 2 which is adapted to Serial No. 279,130.

mesh with the oscillatory feed gear of a planer.

Interposed between the gear and the hub is an adjustable ratchet mechanism for transmitting motion from the former to the latter. As concerns certain phases of the invention, this ratchet mechanism can be widely varied, but I prefer the mechanism to be now described.

Carried by the hub are two oppositely acting independently movable pawls which are adapted to engage ratchet teeth on the gear 2. Preferably, as shown, the hub is provided with a transverse slot 3 in which two pawls 4, 4 are slidably mounted. The gear 52 is provided with a flange which extends laterally over the hub, and this flange is provided with longitudinal ratchet teeth 5, 5 which are adapted to be engaged by the pawls 4, 4. Preferably the two pawls are oppositely notched or rabbeted, as shown, so as to overlap each other. They are provided respectively with two iegistcring recesses G, (3, and 1n these recesses is positioned a coil spring 7. This spring acts on the two pawls simultaneously and tends to press both of them outward against the ratchet teeth 5, 5. In order that the spring may be put into place, the hub 1 is provided with an opening or slot 8 communicating with the slot 3. After the spring has been inserted, a pin 9 is put in position across the opening to hold the spring against displacement.

In order that the ratchet mechanism may properly function, it is necessary to hold one or the other of the pawls out of operation. For this purpose I preferably provide a ring 10 which is rotatably mounted concentrically on the driving member or hub. The ring is held in place by a washer 11 secured to the end of the hub.

The construction is such that the ring when turned in one direction throws one pawl out of operation, and when turned in the other direction throws the other pawl out of operation. \Vhen the ring is in a central neutral position, both pawls are out of operation. The parts are so arranged that the ring can be turned in the direction in which the operator desires the hub to be turned. the ring serving to properly adjust the pawls for effecting rotation in the desired direction. In a planer feed mechanism the driving member, as the gear 2, is

driven alternately in opposite directions and the driven member in operation is adapted to be driven thereby in one of such directions. It will therefore be seen that the driven member is stationary a greater portion of the time than the driving member. By mounting the controlling ring 10 on the driven member, the same is adapted to be easily grasped by the operator during its relatively longstationary period and the ratchet mechanism thereby adjusted as desired.

When the ratchet mechanism 'is constructed as before described, the ring 10 is provided with a flange 12 which projects into the path of the pawls at one side thereof. A large notch 13 is formed in the flange 12, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and one or the other of the pawls can project through this notch into engagement with the ratchet teeth. In Fig. 4 the left-hand pawl is shown in engagement with the ratchet teeth, the right-hand pawl being held out of engagement by the flame 12. The mechanism is thus adapted t'br transmitting motion in the counter-clockwise direction, as indicated. By turning the ring in the clockwise direction to the position shown in Fig. 5, the left hand and is moved out of enga ement with the ratchet teeth and the rig t-hand pawl is permitted to move into engagement. The mechanism is thus adapted for transmitting motion in the clockwise direction, as indicated. Preferably a supplemental notch 14 is provided in the flange 12 which can be engaged by the right-hand pawl, as shown in Fig. 4. This engagement serves to prevent accidental turning of the ring. Similarly, there is provided a sec ond supplemental notch 15 which can be engaged by the left-hand pawl for the same purpose, as shown in Fig. 5. Preferably there are two other supplemental notches 16. 16 which can be engaged respectively by the pawls when the ring is in the central neutral osition.

As in icated in Fig. 2, the ring is preferably provided with marks 17 which cooperate with a mark 18 on the washer 11 to indicate the relative position of adjustment of the ring.

Fig. 6 shows a part of a planer feed mechanism including click boxes embodying the invention. As illustrated, 19 represents one of the planer housings on which a crossrail 20 is vertically adjustably mounted. Transversely adjustable on the crossrai? are one or more saddles 21, one such saddle being indicated. The cutting tools are secured to the saddles in any usual or preferred way, but for the sake of simplicity these tools have been omitted from the drawing. A vertical operating shaft 22 extends along the housing 19, this shaft being ro tated intermittently by any suitable mechanism. By means of bevel gearing 23 the motion of the feed shaft is transmitted to a crank arm 24 rotatable about, a horizontal axis. Carried by the crank arm 24 is an adjustable crank pin 25 which is engaged by a link or connecting rod 26, The lower end of the connecting rod 26 engages a pin at the end of a crank arm :27. The arm 27 is connected with a large spur gear 28 rotatable about a transverse horizontal axis. Can ried by the crossrail 20 are feed shafts or screws 29, three being shown in the drawing, and these are arranged with their axes at equal distances from the axis of the gear 28. The saddles 21 and the cutting tools are connected with these feed shafts or screws so that they can he moved for adjustment or for feeding by turning the shafts or screws. The shafts or screws 29, are provided with squared ends adapted to receive the hubs of click boxes such as that which has been de scribed. The gears 2 of the click boxes are of such diameter and pitch as to adapt them to mesh with the gear 28. It will be seen that when the shaft 22 is turned the gear 2 4 will be also turned first in one direction and then in the other. The cars 2 of the click boxes will be turned when the gear 28 is turned, and, by properly adjusting the ratchet mechanisms, any one or more of the shafts or screws 29 may be maintained idle or rotated in either direction. Thus any dcsired feeding movement can be secured.

\Vhat I claim is:

1. In a click box, the combination of a driven member adapted to be placed on a feed shaft or screw, :1 driving member rotntably mounted on the driven member, adjustable ratchet mechanism comprising reciprocating pawl means fortransmittinginotion from the driving member to the driven member, spring means {or normally holding the ratchet mechanism in driving position, and a ring rotatably mounted concentrically on the driven member and serving when turned in one direction or the other to adjust the ratchet mechanism for transmitting motion from the driving member to the driven member in the direction in which the ring is turned.

2. In a click box, the combination of. a driven member adapted to be placed on a feed shaft or screw. a driving member comprising a gear rotatably mounted on the driven member, adjustable ratchet mechanism comprising a pair of pawls mounted in the driven member and adapted to engage the driving member for transmitting motion from the gear to the driven member, spring means between the pawls for normally holding the ratchet mechanism in driving position, and a ring rotatably mounted concentrically on the driven member and serving to adjust the ratchet mechanism for transmitting motion from the driving member to the driven member in one direction or the other as required.

3. In a click box, the combination of a driven member adapted to be placed over a feed shaft or screw, :1 driving member comprising a gear rotatably mounted on the driven member, the driven member being provided with an opening therein, a pair of pawls mounted in the opening and adapted to engage the driving member fortransmitting motion from the gear to the driven member, spring means for normally holding the pawls in their driving position, and a ring rotatably mounted concentrically on the driven member about the pawls and serving by engagement with the pawls to adjust the ratchet mechanism for transmitting motion from the driving member to the driven member in one direction or the other as required.

4. In a click box, the combinatlon of a driven member adapted to be placed on a feed shaft or screw, a driving member comprising a gear rotatably mounted on the driven member, the driven member being provided with an opening therein, a pair of awls mounted to slide in the opening and adapted to engage the driving member for transmitting motion from the gear to the driven member, a single spring means operative on both pawls for normally sliding the pawls outwardly into engagement with the driving member, and a ring rotatably mounted concentrically on the driven member and serving to adjust the ratchet mechanism for transmitting motion from the driving I member to the driven member in one direction or the other as required.

5. In a click box, the combination of a driven member adapted to be placed on a feed shaft or screw, a driving member rotatably mounted on the driven member, adjustable ratchet mechanism comprising a pair of relatively movable pawls mounted in the driven member and adapted to transmit motion from the driving member to the driven member, means for normally holding the pawls in their driving position, and a ring rotatably mounted concentrically on the driven member and serving to adjust the ratchet mechanism for transmitting motion from the driving member to the driven member in one direction or the other as required or for holding both pawls disengaged.

6. In a click box, the combination of a hub adapted to be placed on a feed shaft or screw, a driving member comprising a gear rotatably mounted on the hub and provided with internal ratchet teeth, two oppositely acting independently movable pawls carried by the hub and adapted to engage the ratchet teeth of the gear to transmit motion from the gear to the hub, and a manually adjustable device serving to hold one .or the other or both of the pawls out of operation whereby adapted to be placed on a feed shai' t or screw,

a gear rotatably mounted on the hub and provided with internal ratchet teeth, two oppositely acting independently movable pawls carried by the hub within the outlines of the hub and gear and adapted to engage the ratchet teeth of the gear to transmit motion from the gear to the hub, a single spring within the outlines of the hub and gear and between the pawls for pressing the pawls against the ratchet teeth, and a manuallv adjustable device serving to hold one or th e other of the pawls out of operation whereby motion may be transmitted only in one direction or the other as required.

8. In a click box, the combination of a hub adapted to be placed'on a feed shaft or screw, a gear rotatably mounted on the hub and provided with internal ratchet teeth, two oppositely acting independently movable pawls carried by the hub and adapted to engage the ratchet teeth of the gear to transmit motion from the gear to the hub, and a ring rotatably mounted conccntricaL ly on the hub and having a large notch therein through which either one but not both of the pawls may project to engage the ratchet teeth whereby motion may be transmitted in one direction or the other as required.

9. In a click box. the combination of a hub adapted to be placed on a feed shaft or screw, a gear rotatably mounted on the hub and provided with internal ratchet teeth, two oppositely acting independently movable pawls carried by the hub and adapted to engage the ratchet teeth of the gear to transmit motion from the gear to the hub, and a ring rotatably mounted concentrically on the hub and having a large notch therein through which either one but not both of the pawls may project to engage the ratchet teeth whereby motion may be transmitted in one direction or the other as required and having other notches therein adapted to be entered by the pawls to hold the ring against accidental turning,

10. In a click box, the combination of a hub adapted to be placed on a feed shaft or screw, a gear rotatably mounted on the hub and provided with internal ratchet teeth, two oppositely acting independently movable pawls carried by the hub and adapted to engage the ratchet teeth of the gear to transmit motion from the gear to the hub, a single spring between the two pawls acting on the two pawls simultaneously and tending to press them against the ratchet teeth, and a manually adjustable device serving to hold one or the other of the pawls out of operation whereby motion may be transmitted only in one direction or the other as required.

11. In a click box, the combination of a hub adapted to be placed on a feed shaft or screw and provided with a transverse slot therein, a gear rotatably mounted on the hub and provided with 1nternal ratchet teeth, two oppositely acting pawls indepcndently movable in the slot in the hub and adapted to engage the ratchet teeth of the gear to transmit motion from the gear to the hub, a coil spring located between the pawls and tending to press them simultaneously in opposite directions against the ratchet teeth, and a manually adjustable device serving to hold one or the other of the pawls out of operation whereby motion may be transmitted only in one direction or the other as required.

12. In a click box, the combination of a hub adapted to be placed on a feed shaft or screw and provided with a transverse slot therein, a gear rotatably mounted on the hub and provided with 1nternal ratchet teeth, two oppositely acting pawls independently movable in the s ot 1n the hub and adapted to engage the ratchet teeth of the gear to transmit IIlOtlOl'l from the gear to the hub, the two pawls overlapping each other and provided respectively with registering recesses, a coil spring positioned in the recesses and tending to press the two pawls against the ratchet teeth, and a manually adjustable device serving to hold one or the other of the pawls out of omration whereby motion may be transmitte' in one direction or the other as required.

13. In a click box, the combination of a hub adapted to be placed on a feed shaft or screw and provided with a transverse slot therein and an opening communicating with the slot, :1 gear rotatably mounted on the hub and provided with internal ratchet teeth, two oppositely acting pawls independently movable in the slot in the hub and adapted to engage the ratchet teeth of the gear to transmit motion from the gear to the hub, a coil spring located between the pawls and opposlte the opening in the hub, the said spring tending to press the two pawls simultaneously in opposite directions against the ratchet teeth, a pin across the o ening in the hub to hold the spring in p ace, and a manually adjustable device servin to hold one or the other of the pawls out 0 operation whereby motion may be transmitted in one direction or the oth r as re uired.

n testimony whereof, I hereto aflix my signature.

HAROLD L. BLOOD.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,475,274, ranted November 27, 1923, upon the application of Harold L. Blood of Plamfie New Jersey, for an improvement in Click Boxes, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 56, after the word planer strike out the period and insert a comma and the words the gear 2 being the driving member for the feed mechanism and the hub I being the driven mower thereof and operati've therefrom through the click box mechanism hereinafter described; same page line 18, commencin with the comma and the article the strike out all to and including the wor described in line 22; and that the said Letters Patent should he read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the,

record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 8th day of January, A. D., 1924.

[ KARL FENNING,

Acting C'onmiesiomr of Patents. 

